NFL Free Agency: The 16 Biggest Gambles in 2012 Free Agency

The 2011 NFL free agency period has yet to begin, but I am going to give you some inside information regarding the 2012 free agency period—yes that’s right, a whole year away.

Each and every year players get handed huge contracts, despite the player being a major gamble. Some players simply may be over the hill, or maybe some production may be a bit questionable—either way, they are a gamble.

Here are 16 of the biggest gambles in the 2012 free agent class. 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @       TonySantorsa.  

Marcedes Lewis

Tight end Marcedes Lewis has put up solid numbers as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but there’s one issue: would he be able to handle the big-market spotlight?

Lewis would likely receive many offers from teams in big cities that are willing to pay the tight end, however Lewis has spent his entire career as a member of the Jaguars, in a city that has frequently blacked out.

Teams may consider that factor, and for Marcedes, he may be better off as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Willis McGahee

Ever since Willis McGahee joined the Baltimore Ravens back in 2007, he has only played all 16 games once. In fact, McGahee has only suited up for all 16 games in one season just three times throughout his seven year career. 

Not only is McGahee going to be turning 31 in 2012, but might I just mention his gruesome left knee injury back at the University of Miami, when he tore his ACL, PCL and MCL—yeah, how much more can his knee stand?

Brian Urlacher

Brian Urlacher may have been one of the best linebackers in the most recent decade, but he's been quietly slowing down over the past few seasons—not to mention being injured for the majority of 2009. 

Urlacher is getting up there in age, as he'll be turning 34 in 2012, thus making him a gamble. 

Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco simply isn't the same elite wide receiver that he used to be—but he's still a quality option.

Ochocinco will be turning 34 in 2012, and who knows how much beating his body can take. There will be a team that will take a chance with him, but he's definitely going to be a gamble. 

Frank Gore

Did you know that Frank Gore has only managed to play all 16 games in one season just once throughout his six year career—that should definitely raise a red flag. 

Granted, Gore has been extremely productive, but he'll be 29 in 2012, and we all know that NFL running backs have short careers. 

Matt Forte

Matt Forte is a young and promising running back, but his major issue is consistency.

In Forte's three years in the league, he's crossed 1,000 yards twice, and in the year that he didn't, he just wasn't effective at all.

Forte will be a definite gamble, but this upcoming season could certainly change that if he shows that he can be consistent. 

Keith Brooking

Who knows if Keith Brooking will even be active in 2012, as he sits at 35 years old right now. However, there is one thing that is for certain, he's consist, as he's played all 16 games in one season for the last 10 seasons.

But the gamble is, how much more can his body take? 

Jason Campbell

During Jason Campbell's five year career, he's shown signs of greatness, but then he's shown signs of being just an average quarterback.

2011 will dictate his value in 2012 free agency, but I'm still labeling him as a gamble. 

Ronde Barber

Age is the only factor with Ronde Barber, as he'll be turning 37 years old in 2012.

Barber has certainly been a quality cornerback, despite being one of the older guys, but his age causes him to be a gamble. 

London Fletcher

Who knows if London Fletcher will retire anytime soon, but his age definite labels him as a gamble. 

Fletcher has managed to play every single game throughout his illustrious 13 year career, but how much more can the guy take?

Buyer beware with considering London Fletcher.  

Michael Vick

Yes, believe it: Signing Michael Vick should be considered a gamble.

Granted, Vick has turned more into a pocket passer, but he's always on the move and takes a lot more hits than the average quarterback.

Also, as Vick spent time in prison, he missed two NFL seasons, and who knows how that effective him physical—for all we know, his body by NFL standards could be more of a 35 year old rather than a 31 year old. 

Brandon Meriweather

Don't let Brandon Meriweather's two Pro Bowl appearances fool you, he has still yet to develop into what he's capable of being. 

Meriweather has all the talent in the world, but still plays like a rookie as he makes terrible mistakes such as taking awful angles and playing the ball in the worst possible way.

If he somehow finds a way to mature, he'll be a great signing, but as of right now, he's nothing but a gamble. 

Reggie Bush

We all know how talented Reggie Bush is, but he's only played one full NFL season—and that was his rookie year. 

Bush may be talented, but is frequently injured and has yet to apply his talents so that he's effective at the NFL level. 

He may go down as a draft bust, which certainly labels him as a gamble entering 2012 free agency. 

Robert Mathis

Robert Mathis may be a dominating defensive end, but he's often injured and will be turning 31 once 2012 free agency begins.

Mathis received a huge contract back in 2005, and certainly lived up to expectations, but missed a handful of games due to injury—thus making him a gamble. 

Thomas Jones

Thomas Jones continues to defy age as he's been such an effective running back at the age of 32.

However, Jones will be turning 34 in the 2012 season, so who knows how much more gas Jones has in the tank. 

John Abraham

John Abraham will be turning 34 in 2012, which should definitely raise a few flags. 

Abraham as been the Atlanta Falcons' defensive leader, so he'll likely take a low money contract with the Falcons, but if another team decides to give him a whole a lot of money, then that deal will certainly be considered a major gamble.